Don’t forget your tent

When attending a music festival weekend it is important to go fully prepared. Many people do not take the necessary items with them and end up having to buy things while they are there, and often spending unnecessary money on items that they may already have at home, and with a little extra planning this could be avoided.

The most obvious item to take with you to a festival weekend is a tent. This doesn’t have to be big or expensive, but make sure it is fully waterproof and is not too complicated to put up as this can be frustrating. When you get to the festival, it is great if your tent is put up with ease, allowing you to settle in and enjoy the weekend. Don’t forget to take the tent pegs and a mallet. It is your base for the next few days, so get it right.

A airbed is not essential, and I have managed without one plenty of times. It really depends how hardy you are and if you can manage to sleep on the hard ground for a couple of nights. If you don’t have an airbed, then I would suggest taking a couple of blankets that can be folded and put underneath your sleeping bag to give a bit of extra comfort. If you do take an airbed, then don’t forget to take the pump to blow it up with! A sleeping bag is a must, and an extra blanket for over the top of your sleeping bag is a good idea if you have the room in the car, as even in the middle of summer it can get chilly at night when sleeping in a tent.

A small gas camping stove and a camping kettle are essential in my eyes, as I can’t do without a cup of tea in the mornings. There are always places to buy refreshments at these kind of events, but it may mean walking some distance and paying quite a bit of money. You can make yourself a cup of tea easily and cheaply from your base, but don’t forget to take matches for the stove and a plastic cup. I also pack a plastic plate, knife, fork and spoon.

If you want to do any basic cooking, then a small set of camping billy cans or a small saucepan or frying pan, a wooden spoon will be sufficient, although disposable barbecues are good to take with you as a barbecue is much more fun, quick and easy. Of course, it is not essential to take any cooking items with you as food such as pizzas, burgers, hotdogs and jacket potatoes will more than likely be sold at various stands around the venue. If you are planning on providing your own meals, then a small washing up bowl is a good idea, along with a small bottle of washing up liquid is a good idea so that you can clean your utensils after using them.

If you are taking food with you, then it is a good idea to keep it fresh in a cooler box with ice packs, and using up the most perishable foodstuffs first, while keeping any tinned items for the following day as these will not need to be kept cold.

A large water carrier is also a must so that you can use water for cooking, making tea and even having a quick wash without having to fetch water all the time. I usually find that it is easier to take one that is full up already before leaving home, so you don’t spend time looking for the nearest water tap, as this could be some distance from your tent.

Some people manage the whole weekend with the bare minimum, but I find that it helps to be organised and comfortable and this can be achieved without going over the top. After all, it’s only for a couple of days, and if you do forget something it’s not the end of the world.